Celebrating Film That Puts Backup Singers in Spotlight

'20 Feet From Stardom' Breaks Out This Summer

By

Marshall Heyman

July 31, 2013 11:35 p.m. ET

One of the few movies to really break out this summer has been "20 Feet From Stardom," a documentary by Morgan Neville about backup singers for such artists as Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson and Bette Midler.

In order to get the word out, not to mention start a (very early) Oscar campaign, Ms. Midler hosted a luncheon for the movie on Tuesday at the swanky Mandarin Oriental. Among the eclectic group of guests were the theater director Julie Taymor; the humanitarian and author Elie Wiesel; the...